Musetec (LKS) MH-DA005 DAC


Some history: I was the OP on a four year old thread about the Chinese LKS MH-DA004 DAC. It achieved an underground buzz. The open architecture of its predecessor MH-DA003 made it the object of a lot of user mods, usually to its analog section, rolling op amps or replacing with discrete. The MH-DA004 with its new ESS chips and JFET analog section was called better then the modified older units. It has two ES9038pro DAC chips deliberately run warm, massive power supply, powered Amanero USB board, JFET section, 3 Crystek femtosecond clocks, Mundorf caps, Cardas connectors, etc., for about $1500. For this vinyl guy any reservation about ESS chips was resolved by the LKS implimentaion, but their revelation of detail was preserved, something that a listener to classic music especially appreciated. I made a list of DACs (many far more expensive) it was compared favorably to in forums. Modifications continued, now to clocks and caps. Components built to a price can be improved by costlier parts and the modifiers wrote glowingly of the SQ they achieved.

Meanwhile, during the 4 years after release of the MH-DA004, LKS (now Musetec) worked on the new MH-DA005 design, also with a pair of ES9038pro chips. This time he used more of the best components available. One torroidal transformer has silver plated copper. Also banks of super capacitors that act like batteries, solid silver hookup wire, 4 femtoclocks each costing multiples of the Crysteks, a revised Amanero board, more of the best European caps and a new partitioned case. I can't say cost NO object, but costs well beyond. A higher price, of course. Details at http://www.mu-sound.com/DA005-detail.html

The question, surely, is: How does it sound? I'm only going to answer indirectly for the moment. I thought that the MH-DA004 was to be my last DAC, or at least for a very long time. I was persuaded to part with my $$ by research, and by satisfaction with the MH-DA004. Frankly, I have been overwhelmed by the improvement; just didn't think it was possible. Fluidity, clarity, bass extension. A post to another board summed it up better than I can after listening to piano trios: "I have probably attended hundreds of classical concerts (both orchestral and chamber) in my life. I know what live sounds like in a good and bad seat and in a good and mediocre hall. All I can say is HOLY CRAP, this sounds like the real thing from a good seat in a good hall. Not an approximation of reality, but reality."

melm

My 3 DACs as of last week were Lumin X1, Musetec 005, and Benchmark DAC3B. Today, I only have the X1 and DAC3B left.

The Musetec is smoother and warmer than the Lumin X1. The Lumin X1 is not as hot on top as the DAC3B, nor is the 005.

005 (warmer) | X1 (neutral) | DAC3B (cooler). They all use ESS chips. I am not saying that the 005 or for the matter DAC3B are worse than they X1. They sound different and each is better in a specific way.

- 005 seems best with CODA #16 amp (that is why I may buy it again in Sept)

- DAC3B 100% better with the RAAL VM-1a tube headphone amp

- X1 with Benchmark AHB2 amps

Other combos are also good (except 005 + VM-1a) but the very best combos for my ears are the ones above.

BTW - I got the used X1 for $7250 and when I include the 2 streamers it replaced (actually 3, but I am only using 2 with the X1). The used X1 is cheaper.

005 (warmer) | X1 (neutral) | DAC3B (cooler). They all use ESS chips. I am not saying that the 005 or for the matter DAC3B are worse than they X1. They sound different and each is better in a specific way.
 

this is an excellent way to demonstrate that the DAC chip is not as important as we think in determining the final sound of the DAC. They all use the same chip, except the DAC3B which uses 9028pro, but have vastly different analog implementation. The power supply, clock and analog section is paramount in determining the final sound.

Anybody tried aftermarket fuse with 005 ? I recently tried the AM m1 and like what I hear. 005 seems to already come with some kind of audio grade fuse rather than 5cent ceramic or glass fuse that very manufacturer, regardless of the price of the product, seems to put in. So in that regards, I have to give Musetec a hats off. The m1 gives a slightly fuller sound and a touch warmer. The changes are not huge by any means. I have not tried a SR purple in 005 but have them in other places in the chain and they do take the sound up a couple of notches. So I might be tempted to try one at some point but if anybody has already tried it, I would be curious to know their opinion.

@debjit_g I have Synergistic orange, purple is on radar.

 

Voicing is so subjective, dependent on system and/or personal preference. In any case 005 close enough to neutral, can't imagine anyone finding it highly colored.

@debjit_g I have SR Purple fuses in almost all my gear and they are definitely the best bang for the buck.

I am surprised that the Audiomagic M1 only offered a slight improvement, I was planning on trying one.

I have a Powerhouse Zero 2 fuse in my power conditioner which is wonderful but they are around $550.00

My Threshold power amp takes one SR Purple and four HIFI Tuning fuses which are great value.

Guess I gotta bite the bullet and try some QSA fuses.